NCFPD approves resolution of formation, special election for CFD

An election for the North County Fire Protection District to form a Community Facilities District funded by a tax assessment on property within the NCFPD boundaries was approved by the NCFPD board July 25.

The fire district's 4-0 vote, with Bob Hoffman absent, approved a resolution of formation for the Community Facilities District and also approved a resolution of election. The election will be conducted by a mail ballot; the ballots will be sent to voters in early October and will be due Oct. 24.

"It's been a long time in the making. We're very encouraged because of the support that we've received along the way. We feel that the public understands what we're asking for," said NCFPD fire chief Steve Abbott.

The Community Facilities District would be funded by a tax assessment on property within the NCFPD boundaries. If the voters approve the CFD, the fire protection district is expected to receive an additional $1,000,000 in revenue each year for 20 years.

"We're moving forward with our best option," Abbott said.

Because ballots will be cast by registered voters rather than landowners, a two-thirds majority will be needed for passage.

A comprehensive facilities condition assessment identified approximately $26 million in facility needs. In May 2017 NCFPD staff issued a request for proposals for a revenue measure feasibility analysis and public opinion survey. David Taussig and Associates was awarded that contract in June 2017.

The August 2017 board meeting created an ad hoc committee of NCFPD board members and staff to define specific objectives to be achieved by a revenue measure. In September 2017, the board contracted with Strategy Research Institute for a public opinion survey on the likelihood of a revenue measure passing.

The survey indicated that the district did not have the support at that time for a revenue measure to pass, and in December 2017 the NCFPD board voted to postpone pursuit of a revenue measure until additional public outreach increased the chance of passage.

In January 2019, Strategy Research Institute conducted a follow-up public opinion survey and, on May 28, the NCFPD board set a June 25 hearing date for the resolution of intention.

The resolution of intention was approved on a 3-0 vote with Fred Luevano and John Van Doorn absent and included the boundaries of the CFD, which in this case matches the territory of the North County Fire Protection District, and the proposed assessment rate.

If voters approve the CFD an assessment of $60 per parcel for a 20-year period will help fund NCFPD facilities.

In 1990, the district began providing paramedic service. The district did not add any revenue sources to cover the cost of providing paramedic service but instead deferred funding for building maintenance and upgrades.

Since Station 1 on Ivy Street and Station 2 on Winterwarm were built in 1963, major maintenance wasn't needed in 1990, but those buildings are now more than 55 years old and it is now more feasible to replace those structures than to upgrade them.

Station 3 in Rainbow and Station 4 in Pala Mesa currently utilize portable buildings. Personnel must go between two buildings for any calls, which slows response time and the lack of adequate training space in the existing buildings also hinders response.

Firefighter and paramedic safety would be improved by having more space between hazardous materials in the station and personnel. The fire stations also lack adequate sleeping space, so during periods of increased staffing some personnel sleep on the floor.

"We're going to have to do something different to take care of our deferred facility maintenance," Abbott said.

The Community Facilities District was the preferred choice to the alternative of cutting services. "We're excited to have the prospect of improving our facilities so we can improve service," Abbott said.

The district currently has 20,449 real estate parcels although approximately 4,000 of those are public land and would be exempt from the tax. The $60 assessment has no annual escalator and would begin with landowners' 2020-21 property tax bills.